The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust has wrapped up its most successful Treecycle campaign to date, with 2026 marking a record-breaking year for collections, community involvement and impact.
Despite freezing temperatures and challenging winter conditions, the annual fundraising and recycling initiative saw an incredible 956 real Christmas trees collected from households across Worcestershire and Herefordshire. This achievement makes the 2026 Treecycle the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust’s biggest and most successful year yet, and a powerful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together.
The Treecycle offers households a simple, hassle-free way to recycle their real Christmas trees while supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer. In return for a donation, trees are collected directly from homes and responsibly recycled, helping to reduce waste and carbon emissions while raising vital funds for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.
What Is Treecycling?
Treecycling is a donation-based Christmas tree collection and recycling scheme run in partnership with Just Helping. Households register their real Christmas trees for collection, and in return for a suggested donation, our volunteers collect the trees directly from homes and ensure they are responsibly recycled. Just Helping supports local charities across the UK by providing the platform and framework that makes schemes like the Treecycle possible, helping funds raised stay local while promoting environmentally responsible recycling.
What Happens to the Trees?
Once collected, all trees are chipped and given a second life. Many are used around animal enclosures at West Midlands Safari Park, while others are processed into biofuel or used on pathways, ensuring no trees end up in landfill. Treecycling combines environmental responsibility with community fundraising, allowing supporters to make a positive difference both environmentally and socially.
The 2026 Treecycle Impact
Last year’s Treecycle collections saved 3,600kg of CO₂, the equivalent of 16,364 miles driven around the UK or 60,000 cups of tea!
This year’s record-breaking collections are expected to deliver an even greater environmental benefit. Alongside these environmental gains, the Treecycle also raises much-needed funds to help continue the vital work of the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust. Thanks to this year’s supporters, the Treecycle 2026 generated:
As the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust receives no regular statutory funding, income raised through the Treecycle plays a vital role in enabling us to continue providing practical, financial and emotional support to families facing childhood cancer across the region.
With 956 trees collected, the 2026 Treecycle has surpassed all previous years, building on the success of earlier campaigns and demonstrating the growing support for the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust’s work.
A Remarkable Community Effort
This year’s Treecycle success is particularly special given the conditions our volunteers and local businesses faced. Across four collection days, volunteers braved icy mornings to ensure every registered tree was collected.
Support came in many forms – from vans, lorries and cars with trailers, to individuals offering their time as extra pairs of hands to distribute leaflets, help load and chip trees, plan routes, and support larger vehicles. Whatever role they played, every volunteer contributed to making this the most successful Treecycle campaign the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust has ever delivered.
The scale of this year’s collections also highlights how the scheme continues to grow.
The success of Treecycling 2026 was made possible by the support of local businesses and volunteers, many of whom are already looking forward to getting involved again next year.
James Price Director, Chestnut Infastructure, said:
“Well done for organising such a successful collection! I thought it was organised brilliantly and we are already looking forward to helping out again next year.”
Claire Dominy from Kier, said:
“Jess and I wanted to extend a heartfelt thank you for your support in helping to organise this year’s Christmas tree collections. We truly appreciate the time, coordination, and commitment you put into making the scheme a success, and Kier loved taking part!”
Opportunities for Corporate Partners
The Treecycle also offers a meaningful opportunity for local businesses and corporate partners to get involved. Companies can:
- Encourage staff volunteering days in January
- Provide vehicles or logistical support
- Registering collection of the office tree
- Sponsor collections or promote the Treecycle internally
Corporate involvement not only supports sustainability goals but also makes a tangible difference to families in the local community.
Tracey Marlow-Jones, Director Indegu Ltd, said:
“Collecting Christmas trees is a brilliant way to raise vital funds for the Trust, and it’s something I’ve truly enjoyed doing for several years. It’s a massive team effort to collect so many trees over just four days, knowing they are all being recycled makes it a fantastic, eco-friendly service for our community after the festive season.”
Adele from Lucart, said:
“Karl and I had a fab day….. we’ll be back in 27.”
Looking ahead to our Treecycle 2027
Following the success of this year’s campaign, planning is already underway for the Treecycle 2027. The Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust would love to hear from individuals and businesses interested in getting involved, whether by:
- Providing vans, lorries or cars with trailers
- Volunteering as part of a collection team
- Offering a few hours as an extra pair of hands
- Supporting us as a corporate partner
If you’d like to register your interest in volunteering or supporting the Treecycle in the future, please get in touch with us at fundraising@gkcct.org
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